Vehicular seat assembly

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a vehicular seat assembly that may be configured in four different arrangements to accommodate an adult in its first position, a youth in its second position, a toddler in its third position, and infant in its fourth position. When configured to seat an infant, the infant is retrained using a restraint system that is integral to the seat assembly, and when configured to seat a toddler, the toddler is restrained by a separate and distinct restraint system that is also integral to the seat assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims is a continuation-in-part of application Ser.No. 10/751,078 that was filed Jan. 2, 2004, which is filly incorporatedherein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING SPONSORED RESEARCH AND/OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to seats for motor vehicles, andmore particularly, to a child seat assembly for use in motor vehicles.

2. General Background of the Invention

It has become increasingly desirable to place special seatingapparatuses in motor vehicles to accommodate children. For instance,typically a rear-facing infant seat is utilized to sufficiently restrainan “infant,” meaning a person that is generally less than one-year-oldor that weighs less than about twenty (20) pounds, enabling the infantto safely ride in a motor vehicle. Some of these conventional infantseats are at least generally immobilized, relative to an integrated,adult-accommodating seat of the motor vehicle, by extending a seat beltof the motor vehicle through at least a portion of the infant seat or byinterconnecting one or more support straps of the infant seat with aframe of the motor vehicle or a combination thereof.

Once it is determined that a child has outgrown (e.g., is too talland/or heavy to be appropriately accommodated by) an above-mentionedinfant seat, the infant seat is typically removed from the motor vehicleand replaced by a toddler seat that may be utilized to sufficientlyrestrain a “toddler,” meaning a person that is generally older or largerthan an infant but not more than forty (40) to sixty-five (65) pounds,enabling the toddler to safely ride in the motor vehicle. Like manyconventional infant seats, many conventional toddler seats are at leastgenerally immobilized, relative to the integrated, adult-accommodatingseat of the motor vehicle, by extending a seat belt of the motor vehiclethrough at least a portion of the toddler seat or by interconnecting oneor more support straps of the toddler seat with the frame of the motorvehicle or a combination thereof.

Eventually, it typically becomes desirable to remove the above-mentionedtoddler seat from the motor vehicle and replace the same with a boosterseat that may be utilized to sufficiently restrain a “youth,” meaning aperson that is generally larger than a toddler but less than aboutfifty-six (56) inches tall (i.e. not tall enough to use the vehicle'sstandard restraint system while seated on the vehicle's primary seatingsurface), enabling the youth to safely ride in the motor vehicle. Thesebooster seats may be fastened into the motor vehicle using a seat beltof the motor vehicle or one or more support straps of the booster seat;in some configurations, the booster seat simply rests on the vehicle'sstandard seat in order to seat the youth at an elevation sufficient toallow the youth to be restrained using the vehicle's standard safetybelt.

Regardless of the particular models utilized, the designs of thesespecial seats for children have generally required parents or guardiansof a child to purchase, at a significant cost, an infant seat, a toddlerseat, and a booster seat through the growth of their child. In addition,these special seats for children must be installed properly, i.e.immobile relative to the vehicle's primary seat, to provide the desiredlevel of safety, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrationhas estimated that as many as 80% of these seats are improperlyinstalled.

As an alternative, some vehicle seats have been equipped with a childseat contained therein, commonly referred to as an integrated childseat. However, designs of these conventional integrated child seatsgenerally allow them to only be useful during a short portion of achild's life, thus still requiring the purchase of one or more of aninfant seat, a toddler seat, and a booster seat. For example, a motorvehicle may include an integrated booster seat, but the integratedbooster seat is generally not suitable for accommodating an infantand/or toddler. Thus, the vehicle owner may still have to purchase aninfant seat or a toddler seat or both to sufficiently accommodate theowner's child(ren).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the objectives of the present invention are to provide aseat assembly for a motor vehicle that can sufficiently accommodate aninfant, a toddler, a youth, and an adult that is cost effective and easyto use.

The invention comprises a seat assembly for a motor vehicle thatincludes a seat and a backrest. The backrest contains a supplementalseat, which has a first end portion that is pivotally connected to thebackrest and an opposing second end portion, and a supplemental backrest, and a portion of the backrest additionally forms a pivotallydeployable toddler armrest.

This basic structure allows the seat assembly to be configured in fourdifferent ways to accommodate the seating of an adult, a youth, atoddler, and an infant respectively. To accommodate an adult, thesupplemental seat and supplemental backrest are stowed in thereceptacle, with a back support surface of the supplemental seatproviding a portion of the support for the back of an adult using theseat assembly.

To accommodate a youth, the supplemental seat is pivoted out of thereceptacle in the backrest to rest on the seat, exposing a seatingsurface for the youth to sit on. The supplemental backrest moves forwardto fill the void in the backrest and to provide support for the youth'sback. This places the youth at a sufficient height to utilize thevehicle's standard restraint system.

To accommodate a toddler, the supplemental seat is pivoted out of thereceptacle in the backrest and the supplemental backrest is movedforward as when the seat assembly is configured to seat a youth. Inaddition, the toddler armrest is deployed, which also makes a restraintsystem designed specifically for restraining a toddler accessible.

To accommodate an infant, the supplemental seat is pivoted out of thereceptacle in the backrest to rest on the seat. An upper portion of thesupplemental seat is then pivoted about the second end portion of thesupplemental seat to form an obtuse angle with a lower portion of thesupplemental seat, exposing an infant seating area and a restraintsystem designed specifically for restraining an infant.

In addition, the supplemental seat portion is preferably, but notnecessarily, removable from the vehicle. This particular feature isespecially valuable for parents of infants that often desire to removean infant seat from a vehicle to transport the infant from the car. Toprotect the back support surface of the seat assembly and to provideadditional stability when the supplemental seat is removed from thevehicle, a base may be provided that the lower portion of thesupplemental seat may snap into.

Because the supplemental seat is not attached to the vehicle's seatassembly using the vehicle's safety belts, the risk of improperinstallation is virtually eliminated. And even when the supplementalseat is removable, the interconnection between the supplemental seat andthe backrest is of a positive, locking type interconnection that is notdependent on the ability of a vehicle owner to properly tension beltsthat are intended to keep a child seat immobile relative to thevehicle's seat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,together with a general description of the invention given above and thedetailed description of the certain embodiments of the invention givenbelow, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the seat assembly configured to seat anadult.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the seat assembly of FIG. 1 configuredin a booster seat arrangement to seat a youth.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the seat assembly of FIG. 1 configuredin a toddler seat arrangement to seat a youth.

FIG. 4 FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the seat assembly of FIG. 1configured in an infant seat arrangement to seat an infant.

FIG. 5A is a sectioned, side view of the seat assembly configured as inFIG. 1.

FIG. 5B is a sectioned, side view of the seat assembly configured as inFIG. 2.

FIG. 5C is a sectioned, side view of the seat assembly configured as inFIG. 4 with the supplemental seat detached from the remainder of theseat assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The seat assembly of the current invention is capable of seating fourdifferent types of persons. In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, seatassembly 10 is configured to seat an “infant,” meaning a person that isgenerally less than one-year-old or that weighs less than about twenty(20) pounds, in a rear-facing position using an “infant restraintsystem” that is integral to seat assembly 10. In the configuration shownin FIG. 3, seat assembly 10 is configured to seat a “toddler,” meaning aperson that is generally older or larger than an infant but not morethan forty (40) to sixty-five (65) pounds, in a forward-facing positionusing a “toddler restraint system” that is integral to seat assembly 10.In the configuration shown in FIG. 2, seat assembly 10 is configured asa booster seat to seat a “youth,” meaning a person that is generallylarger than a toddler but less than about fifty-six (56) inches tall(i.e. not tall enough to use the vehicle's standard restraint systemwhile seated on primary seating surface 13), in a forward-facingposition. Finally, in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, seat assembly10 is configured to seat an “adult,” meaning a person that is generallytaller than fifty-six (56) inches (i.e. tall enough to use the vehicle'sstandard restraint system while seated on primary seating surface 13),in a forward-facing position.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a seat assembly 10 that includes seat 12, backrest14, supplemental seat 16, toddler armrest 18, and head rest 20. Firstend portion 22 of supplemental seat 16 is pivotally interconnected withbackrest 14 such that supplemental seat 16 is contained in receptacle 15defined in backrest 14 when supplemental seat 16 is in its closedposition as shown in FIG. 1 wherein back support surface 24 ofsupplemental seat 16 provides back support for an adult using seatassembly 10. When supplemental seat 16 is pivoted into its open position(as shown by arrow 17 in FIG. 2), back support surface 24 ofsupplemental seat 16 rests on primary seating surface 13 as shown inFIG. 2, exposing seating surface 26 of supplemental seat 16. Whensupplemental seat 16 is in its open position, supplemental backrest 28moves forward to fill the void in backrest 14 as shown by arrow 27 inFIG. 2. The forward movement of supplemental backrest 28 is coordinatedwith the opening of supplemental seat 16 using mechanical linkage 30(best seen in FIG. 5). Supplemental backrest 28 preferably travels onfour (4) slides 29 (best seen in FIG. 5B). Alternatively, one or moreelectromechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic drives can be utilized topivot supplemental seat 16 and to move supplemental back rest 28.

FIG. 2 illustrates seat assembly 10 configured as a booster seat to seata youth in a forward-facing position. In this configuration,supplemental seat 16 is in its open position, resting on seating surface13, and supplemental backrest 28 is in its forward position. In thisconfiguration, when a youth is seated on seating surface 26 ofsupplemental seat 16, the youth's back is supported by supplementalbackrest 28. The youth is restrained using the vehicle's restraintsystem (not shown).

FIG. 3 illustrates seat assembly 10 configured as a toddler seat to seata toddler in a forward-facing position. In this configuration,supplemental seat 16 is in its open position, resting on seating surface13; supplemental backrest 28 is in its forward position; and toddlerarmrest 18 is pivoted into its open position as shown by arrow 21. Inthis configuration, when a toddler is seated on seating surface 26 ofsupplemental seat 16, the toddler's back is supported by supplementalbackrest 28, and the toddler's torso is surrounded by toddler armrest18. Toddler armrest 18 is preferably U-shaped with the open end portionsof the U being pivotally connected to backrest 14 such that toddlerarmrest 18 forms a peripheral portion of back support surface 19 whentoddler armrest 18 is in its closed position as shown in FIG. 1. Thetoddler is restrained in seat assembly 10 using a toddler restraintsystem that is integral to seat assembly 10. In the illustratedembodiment, the toddler restraint system comprises a pair of retractablebelts 32, a pair of typical belt retractor mechanisms 33, toddler malebuckle 34, and toddler female buckle 36. Retractor mechanisms 33 aremounted within backrest 14 (best seen in FIG. 5). Retractable belts 32are routed through backrest 14 (best seen in FIG. 5) and emerge fromslots 38 in backrest 14 such that retractable belts 32 and toddler malebuckle are hidden by toddler armrest 18 when it is in its closedposition as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4. Alternatively, retractormechanisms 33 could be mounted within, or immediately behind, seat 12with retractable belts 32 extending up and through backrest 14.Retractable belts 32 are connected to toddler male buckle 34, wherebytoddler male buckle 34 is accessible only when toddler armrest 18 is inits open position. Toddler female buckle 36 is attached to second endportion 23 of supplemental seat 16. Supplemental seat 16 can beconfigured with a receptacle to contain toddler female buckle 36 whensupplemental seat 16 is not being used by a toddler.

FIG. 4 illustrates seat assembly 10 configured as an infant seat to seatan infant in a rear-facing position. In this configuration, supplementalseat 16 is in its open position, with lower portion 40 of supplementalseat 16 resting on seating surface 13 and upper portion 42 ofsupplemental seat 16 being pivoted to its open position to form anobtuse angle with lower portion 40 of supplemental seat 16; supplementalbackrest 28 is in its forward position; and toddler armrest 18 is in itsclosed position. In this configuration, lower portion 40 and upperportion 42 of supplemental seat 16 cooperate to support the infant withthe infant's buttocks and legs being supported by infant buttocksupporting surface 50 of lower portion 40 and the infant's back, neck,and head being supported by infant back supporting surface 52 of upperportion 42. The infant is restrained in supplemental seat 16 using aninfant restraint system that is integral to supplemental seat assembly16. In the illustrated embodiment, the infant restraint system comprisesa pair of infant restraint belts 44, which are attached to upper portion42 of supplemental seat 16 at their first ends 44 a; infant male buckle46, which is attached to the second ends 44 b of infant restraint belts44; and infant female buckle 48, which is attached to lower portion 40of supplemental seat 16. The components of the infant restraint systemmay additionally be encapsulated by lower portion 40 and upper portion42 of supplemental seat 16 when upper portion 42 is in its closedposition.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are sectioned side views of seat assembly 10 todisclose an embodiment of seat assembly 10 utilizing mechanical linkage30 to coordinate the movement of supplemental seat 16 and supplementalbackrest 28. These figures additionally show the routing of retractablebelts 32 through backrest 14.

FIG. 5C additionally illustrates that supplemental seat 16 may bedetached from seat assembly 10 and removed from the vehicle asdemonstrated by arrow 59. This capability is particularly advantageouswhen supplemental seat 16 is configured as an infant seat as shown inFIG. 5C. Using infant seat carrying handle 54, supplemental seat 16 caneasily be transported, even when an infant is restrained in supplementalseat 16 with the infant restraint system. To protect back supportsurface 24 of supplemental seat 16 when supplemental seat 16 is removedfrom the vehicle, base 56 may be provided that lower portion 40 ofsupplemental seat 16 can be snapped into as indicated by arrow 60.Bottom surface 58 of base 56 preferably comprises a non-skid materialsuch as rubber to promote the stability supplemental seat 16 when itdetached from backrest 14.

Referring again to FIG. 3, toddler armrest 18 may further define one ormore receptacles 62 that are accessible when toddler armrest 18 is inits open position. Receptacle 62 in FIG. 3 is shown as being cylindricalto accept a cup, but receptacles 62 can be of a variety of sizes andshapes.

In one embodiment of seat assembly 10, head rest 20 can be adjusteddownward to provide support for a toddler's head when toddler armrest 18is in its open position. In an alternate embodiment, head rest 20 isattached to toddler armrest 18 and adjustable so that a toddler may layits head on said headrest when the toddler armrest is in its openposition.

While the above describes the illustrated embodiments of the invention,those skilled in the art may appreciate that certain modifications maybe made to the apparatus and methodology herein disclosed withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the invention. Thus, it should beunderstood that the invention may be adapted to numerous rearrangements,modifications, and alterations and that all such are intended to bewithin the scope of the appended claims.

1. A seat assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising: a seat; asupplemental seat; a supplemental backrest; and a backrest, saidbackrest defining a centrally disposed receptacle sized to receive saidsupplemental seat and said supplemental backrest; wherein saidsupplemental seat includes a first end portion and an opposing secondend portion, said first end portion being pivotally interconnected tosaid backrest so as to be pivotable from a closed position wherein thesupplemental seat is retained within the receptacle of said backrest toan open position wherein the supplemental seat rests on said seat andsaid supplemental backrest assembly is moveably connected to saidbackrest within said receptacle and is coordinated with saidsupplemental seat such that said supplemental backrest moves forwardwhen said supplemental seat is moved from its closed position to itsopen position.
 2. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein: saidsupplemental seat includes a lower portion and an upper portion, theupper portion of said supplemental seat being pivotally interconnectedto the lower portion of said supplemental seat so as to be pivotablefrom a closed position wherein said upper portion is adjacent to saidlower portion and an open position wherein said upper portion extendsfrom said lower portion at an obtuse angle.
 3. A seat assembly asclaimed in claim 2 wherein: said lower portion of said supplemental seathas a seating surface contoured to support an infant's legs andbuttocks; and said upper portion of said supplemental seat is adapted tosupport the back and head of an infant sitting on the seating surface ofthe lower portion of said supplemental seat when the upper portion ofsaid supplemental seat is in its open position.
 4. A seat assembly asclaimed in claim 2 wherein said coordination in movement between saidsupplemental seat and said supplemental backrest is achieved with amechanical linkage.
 5. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 2 whereinsaid coordination in movement between said supplemental seat and saidsupplemental backrest is achieved with at least one electromechanicaldrive mechanism to pivot said supplemental seat and to move saidsupplemental backrest.
 6. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 2 whereinsaid coordination in movement between said supplemental seat and saidsupplemental backrest is achieved with at least one hydraulic drivemechanism to pivot said supplemental seat and to move said supplementalbackrest.
 7. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein saidcoordination in movement between said supplemental seat and saidsupplemental backrest is achieved with at least one pneumatic drivemechanism to pivot said supplemental seat and to move said supplementalbackrest.
 8. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said backrest further includes a back supporting surface and a toddler armrest,said toddler armrest being pivotable from a closed position wherein afirst side of said toddler armrest forms a portion of said backsupporting surface to an open position and wherein said toddler armrestextends generally horizontally from said backrest and is spaced abovesaid seat.
 9. A seat assembly for a motor vehicle comprising: a seathaving a front edge portion and a rear edge portion; a backrest surface,said backrest surface including a portion of a backrest that extendsgenerally upward from the rear edge of said seat; a supplemental seat,said supplemental seat having a first end portion and a second endportion and being pivotally interconnected with said backrest whereinsaid supplemental seat is contained in a receptacle defined by saidbackrest when said supplemental seat is in a closed position and whereinsaid supplemental seat rests on said seat when said supplemental seat isin an open position and including a lower portion and an upper portion,the upper portion of said supplemental seat being pivotallyinterconnected to the lower portion of said supplemental seat so as tobe pivotable from a closed position wherein said upper portion isadjacent to said lower portion and an open position wherein said upperportion extends from said lower portion at an obtuse angle; a toddlerarmrest, said toddler armrest being generally U-shaped and beingpivotally connected to said backrest at the open end portions of the Usuch that said toddler armrest forms a peripheral portion of said backsupport surface when said toddler armrest is in its closed position andsuch that said toddler armrest extends generally horizontally from saidbackrest when it is in its open position; and a supplemental backrest,said supplemental backrest being moveably connected to said backrestwithin said receptacle and being coordinated with said supplemental seatsuch that said supplemental backrest moves forward when saidsupplemental seat is moved from its closed position to its openposition.
 10. The seat assembly of claim 9 further comprising an infantrestraint system and a separate and distinct toddler restraint system.11. The seat assembly of claim 10 wherein said toddler restraint systemfurther comprises: a pair of retractable belts connected to at least onelocking tongue and a buckle for receiving said at least one lockingtongue connected to the second end portion of said supplemental seat.12. The seat assembly of claim 10 wherein said infant restraint systemfurther comprises: a first component of said infant restraint systemattached to the upper portion of said supplemental seat and a secondcomponent of said infant restraint system attached to the lower portionof said supplemental seat wherein the first component of said infantrestraint system is releasably connectable to the second component ofsaid infant restraint system when said upper portion of saidsupplemental seat is in its open position such that an infant can berestrained in the supplemental seat.
 13. The seat assembly of claim 12wherein the first and second components of the infant restraint systemare encapsulated within said supplemental seat when the upper portion ofsaid supplemental seat is in its closed position.
 14. The seat assemblyof claim 9 wherein said supplemental seat is detachable from saidbackrest and removable from said motor vehicle.